With Cataclysm, changes were made to the DK trees. Blood became the defined tanking tree, making it easier to decide between specs, and enabling the Mastery system to work on the DK abilities. Frost and Unholy are the remaining DPS trees, similar to Warriors and their two DPS specs.

Instantly strike the target and up to two additional nearby enemies, causing 175% weapon damage plus X on the primary target, with each additional enemy struck taking 25% less damage than the previous target. Damage dealt to each target is increased by an additional 15% for each of your diseases present.

Surrounds you with a barrier of whirling bones. The shield begins with 4 charges, and each damaging attack consumes a charge. While at least 1 charge remains, you take 20% less damage from all sources and deal 2% more damage with all attacks, spells and abilities. Lasts 5 min.

When a damaging attack brings you below 30% of your maximum health, the cooldown on your Rune Tap ability is refreshed and your next Rune Tap has no cost, and all damage taken is reduced by X% for 8 sec. This effect cannot occur more than once every 45 seconds.

You become as hard to stop as death itself. The duration of all Stun and Fear effects used against you is reduced by X%, and your mounted speed is increased by X%. This does not stack with other movement speed increasing effects.

Calls upon the power of Frost to increase the Death Knight's Strength by 20%. Icy crystals hang heavy upon the Death Knight's body, providing immunity against external movement such as knockbacks. Lasts 20 sec.

Purges the earth around the Death Knight of all heat. Enemies within 10 yards are afflicted with Frost Fever and trapped in ice, preventing them from performing any action for 10 sec. Enemies are considered Frozen, but any damage other than diseases will break the ice.

Reduces the cooldown on Raise Dead by 60 sec, and the Ghoul summoned by your Raise Deadspell is considered a pet under your control. Unlike normal Death Knight Ghouls, your pet does not have a limited duration.

Your Plague, Scourge, and Necrotic Strikes defile the ground within 7 yards of your target. Enemies in the area are slowed by X% while standing on the unholy ground. Does not trigger against targets that are immune to movement-slowing effects. Lasts 20 sec.

Induces a friendly unit into a killing frenzy for 30 sec. The target is Enraged, which increases their melee and rangedhaste by 20%, but causes them to lose health equal to 2% of their maximum health every 3 sec.

Consume 5 charges of Shadow Infusion on your Ghoul to transform it into a powerful undead monstrosity for 30 sec. The Ghoul's abilities are empowered and take on new functions while the transformation is active.